Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

11-Aug-2006 -- This confluence point (CP) can be identified on the inland ice, 30 km east of South Greenland’s international airport Kangerlussuaq. According to the 1:100000 map “Kangerlussuaq” the CP is ca. 350 m about sea level and 1 km before the glacier ends.

In the summertime, however, the last kilometres on the ice pose serious problems for a hiker (climbing irons assumed) due to lack of snow, much water on the ice (lakes, brooks) as well as deep crevasses. Each place has to be evaluated under these aspects. In some cases, e. g. near the 575 m-point, 17 km north of the CP, the ice can be entered during the summer season.

Omitting the visit of the glacier, the closest approach to the CP could be within an 1 km radius. The mountains in this region, down to Kangerlussuaq, don’t require special climbing experience and/or equipment. Musk oxen are said to live there, making the region even more interesting. When coming from the airport, the question is, however, how to enter the field, because it is encircled by two valleys (Sandflugdalen and Orkendalen) with larger rivers, in the north the Watson river/Akuliarusiarsuup Kuua, coming from the Russell glacier, and in the south the Qinnguata Kuusua. Both rivers are not suited for canoeing or wading, due to dangerous quicksand.

We have not had enough time to find a summer-entry, but on our day of return, Friday, August 11th, on board of an airbus A330, minutes after take-off we flew over the requested region and shot photos #1 and #2, where the N67 and W50 lines are dashed off. These pictures allow for a view to the CP-site at a distance of 9 km. While the mapped glacier region near the CP may differ from the actual situation (the cited map is at least 10 years old), the photos are new and could be helpful for the potential CP-seeker.